Paul Onuachu Chases History: Trabzonspor Record in Sight

Tolu Shotade

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Last updated: Tue 07 Apr 2026 13:00

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Paul Onuachu is nearing Trabzonspor's single-season foreign goal-scoring record with 22 goals.
He needs four more goals to surpass Shota Arveladze’s record of 25 from the 1995/96 season.
Onuachu’s performances are pivotal in Trabzonspor's strong league finish and his club legacy.

Paul Onuachu

The Turkish Süper Lig is witnessing a historic individual campaign as Nigeria’s Paul Onuachu stands on the cusp of becoming the most prolific foreign player in Trabzonspor’s storied history.

Following a decisive match-winning header in the 2-1 victory over title rivals Galatasaray on Saturday, April 4, 2026, the 2.01m striker has moved within touching distance of records that have stood for decades.

The Numbers: Chasing Arveladze and Sørloth

Onuachu’s goal against Galatasaray was his 22nd league strike of the 2025/2026 season. This tally places him in an elite bracket, chasing two legendary figures at Papara Park. Currently, the record for the most goals scored by a foreign player in a single Süper Lig season for Trabzonspor is held by Georgian legend Shota Arveladze, who netted 25 goals during the 1995/96 campaign. Norwegian forward Alexander Sørloth sits just behind him with 24 goals from the 2019/20 season.

With six matches remaining in the current campaign, Onuachu needs just three goals to equal Arveladze’s legendary mark and four to stand alone as the club's greatest single-season foreign scorer. Given his current rate of scoring, which sees him leading the Süper Lig charts by a significant margin, the record appears well within reach.

Dominating the Big Games

What has made Onuachu’s season particularly special is his penchant for the "Big Three." By finding the net against Galatasaray, he has now scored against all of Turkey’s traditional powerhouses this season, having already punished Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş. His physical dominance and aerial prowess have become Trabzonspor’s primary weapon; he currently accounts for approximately 40% of the team's total league goals.

His form in 2026 has been nothing short of world-class. With 24 goals and two assists across all competitions this year, his output is currently rivaled only by a handful of strikers in Europe’s top ten leagues. This resurgence marks a significant "career reborn" moment for the 31-year-old, who has fully vindicated Trabzonspor’s decision to make his move permanent from Southampton last summer.

The Final Sprint to Greatness

As Trabzonspor pushes for a strong finish in the league, the focus remains firmly on their Nigerian talisman. Beyond the individual accolades and the potential Golden Boot, Onuachu is playing for a permanent place in the Black Sea club's folklore.

If he maintains his current momentum over the final six fixtures, he will not only break a 30-year-old record but also cement his status as one of the most impactful signings in the history of Turkish football.